Air treating apparatus



March 4, 1941. a sslcK AIR TREATING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1940 Patented Mar. 4,1941

UNITED A STATES PATENT 5 OFFICE 8 Claims.

vents the sprayed liquid from splashing or passing through the air inlet whereby the inlet may be greatly reduced in length and whereby the inlet screen may be placed near the filter pack materially reducing the size and cost of the device.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character referred to in which the air inlet means or air admitting means assures a better distribution of the air for passage through the filter pack, greatly increasing the efiiciency of operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character referred to in which the novel air directing or air admitting means is inexpensive and readily embodied in the device.

Another object of this invention is to provide an air treating device of the character referred to embodying a filter pack of metal, fiber, glass, wood or the like in wool form, shreds, ribbons, excelsior, etc. that is arranged or supported in such a manner that it does not pack, compress or sag.

A further object of this invention is to rovide an air filter pack of the character above referred to that is inexpensive and highly effective.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the invention with the inlet screen removed. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is a view .30 similar to Fig. 1 showing another form of the invention.

The improved air treating apparatus of the invention may be said to comprise, generally, a housing or body In having an inlet II and an outlet I2, a filtering, cooling and humidifying filter pack, means for spraying liquid such as pack I3 in the body I0, means I4 for producing a movement of air through the body I0 and the pack I3, sprayer means I5 for spraying liquid on the pack I3, and means I6 for directing or conducting the air from the inlet II to the pack I3 to prevent the liquid from splashing through the inlet and for distributing the air across the pack I3.

Insofaras the present invention is concerned the body Ill may be of any selected or required shape and construction In the particular case illustrated the body In is a rectangular hollow structure of sheet metal, or the like. The air inlet II is formed at one end of the body I0 and the outlet I2 may be provided in the opposite ends of the body. In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing the inlet II is square or rectangular while in- Fig. 3 the inlet I I is round or substantially cylindrical. There may be an inturned lip or flange 9 provided on the body Wall of the inlet II." A screen I1 is arranged across'the inlet II to prevent the passage of insects, foreign particles, etc. into the body Ill. The screen I! has a suitable frame I8 seated or secured in the flange 9. The air outlet I2 may be in the form of a pipe or duct leading from the body I0. The bottom portion of the body II] is, in whole or in part, a pan or reservoir I9 for containing a supply of the liquid or water which is to be supplied to the pack I3.

The pack I3 is arranged in the path of the air flowing through the body I0 and in the construction illustrated is arranged transversely across the interior of the body to occupy a vertical plane. In accordance with the invention the pack I3 may be positioned in spaced adjacent relation to the air inlet II. The pack I3 is a pervious element presenting a multitude of small surfaces for carrying films of water for the required cooling effect through the evaporative action of the water and to operate as an effective cleaner or filter for the air. In accordance with the invention the pack I3 includes filtering material 20 in the form of metal such as bronze or the like. shredded or otherwise acted upon to be in wool form. It is to be understood, of course, that the material 20 may be wood, excelsior', fibrous material, glass fibers, or the-like, if desired.

The invention provides novel means for containing and supporting the material 20.' The pack I3 comprises two or more cells 2i each carrying or containing a body of the filtering materialZlL The cells 2| are constructed of coarse mesh, metai screen, or the like of sufiicient strength to adequately support and contain the material 20 and yet sufliciently open or foraminous to allow the free passage of air. The

cells, 2| may be rectangular and horizontally elongated. The pack cells 2| are stacked one upon the other with their-broad sides vertically disposed as illustrated. A suitable frame or carrier 22 may removably support the pack cells 2| and in the ease illustrated the carrier 22 supports the cells so that the lower cell 2I is spaced above the bottom of the body I0, although this is not essential. The engaging upper and lower walls of the stacked cells 2| dependably support the bodies of filtering material 20 so that the material weighted with the water or moisture cannot sag, compress, or excessively pack. will be observed that the cooperating upper and lower walls of the cells 21 operate as horizontal rigid or substantially rigid partitions in the filter pack I3, adequately supporting the bodies of filtering material 20 against sagging and packing.

The means for causing or providing a movement of air through the body l0 and the pack I3 may be of any selected orrequired type. In theparticular form of the invention illustrated the means I4 is-in the nature of a blower having a volute case 23 and a centrifugal rotor 24 in the case. An end or side of the case 23 is open to admit air to the rotor 24 and the case l3 may discharge directly into the outlet I2. An electric motor 25 is suitably supported in the body I0 and a belt and pulley drive 26 is provided between the motor 25 and the rotor 24. The case 23 may be supported in the body ID in the most advantageous manner. It will be readily apparent how the means In produces a movement of air causing the air to enter through the inlet II and discharge through the outlet I2.

The means I 5 is provided to maintain the pack [3 in a damp or wet condition so that the air passing through the pack is cooled and humidified by the evaporative action of the-liquid and is filtered. The means I5 is preferably a sprayer means so that the water has a direct cooling action upon the air passing through the device. In the preferred arrangement the sprayer means I5 is positioned in the body I0 between the inlet II and the filter pack I3 and, as illustrated, may include a housing 21. The housing 21 may rise vertically from the lower portion of the body Ill immediately behind the air inlet II. A bracket 28 in the housing 21 supports an electric motor 29. The shaft 30 of the motor 29 passes rearwardly through a tube 3| set in the rear wall of the housing 21. A vaned or ribbed sprayer wheel 32 is fixed to the projecting rear portion of the shaft 30. A hood 33 may be provided on the housing 21 above the shaft 38 and the tube 3|. The tube 3| and the hood 33 operate to prevent the spray or water particles from entering the hous ing 21 around the shaft 30.

Pump means is provided for delivering water to the sprayer wheel 32. An electric motor 34 is suitably supported in the lower portion of the housing 21 and drives a pump 35. The pump 35 is in receiving relation to the reservoir I9 and a tube or pipe 36 conducts the pumped water from the pump 35 to the wheel 32. The upper end of the pipe 36 has a nozzle or discharge 31 facing the wheel 32. The liquid or water passes from the discharge 31 in a stream to impinge against the rotating wheel 32 and the wheel breaks the water up into a spray and distributes the spray against the forward face of the filter pack I3. The unevaporated water drips or runs from the pack I3 to return to the reservoir I9 for recycling.

The means I6 is an important feature of the invention and serves to prevent the spray or water particles, flung outwardly by the means I5, from passing or splashing to or through the inlet screen IT. The means I6 is a tubular part or structure defining an air passage which leads from the inlet I I to the filter pack I3. In the case where the in let II is rectangular the means I6 provides or defines a rectangular passage and where the inlet II is round, as in Fig. 3, the means I6 defines a round passage. The air passage defined by the means I6 is of peculiar or special configuration. The inner or rear portion of the means I6 presents a forwardly and radially inward sloping, pitched or curved surface 38 and the forward or outer portion of the means I6 presents a forwardly and outwardly sloping, pitched or curved surface 39. The surface 38 preferably extends forwardly from or immediately adjacent the face of the pack I3 while the surface 39 may extend rearwardly from the screen I! or the flange I6. The converging surfaces 38 and 39 form or join at or may be considered a restriction 40. It will be seen that the walls 38 and 39 provide a Venturi tube passage immediately in front of the filter pack I3. In the preferred construction illustrated the surfaces 38 and 39 are curved or convex, it being understood that the surfaces 38 and 39 may be fiat or angular, if desired.

The parts are related so that the sprayer wheel 32 lies in the inner portion of the means I6, that is, in a vertical or transverse plane that passes through the wall 38. Where the means I6 is annular or round, as in Fig. 3, the walls 38 and 39, are regular and continuous and where the means I 6 is rectangular, as in Figs. 1 and 2 the walls 38 and 39 have angularly related parts defining a rectangular passage. The drops or water particles flung radially from the wheel 32 strike the inwardly or rearwardly flaring wall 38 and are deflected rearwardly thereby to the filter pack I3 and cannot reach the screen I1 or the inlet II. The velocity of the entering air is increased as the air passes through the Venturi-like passage defined by the walls 38 and 39 and this increase in the velocity of the air further assists in directing the spray inwardly against the pack I3. The air in its passage through the means I6 tends to follow the rearwardly flaring wall 38 and a substantial portion of the air is thus delivered to the marginal parts of the pack I3 which otherwise would receive but little air.

It is believed that the operation of the device of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing detailed description. Assuming that the motors 25, 29 and 34 are in operation, air is drawn or moved through the body I0 and the filter pack I3 and the cooling medium or water is discharged from the wheel 32 in the form of a spray. The major portion of this spray is carried rearwardly into the pack I3 by the rearwardly moving air and the velocity of the air is increased to some extent by the Venturi efiect of the means I6 so that the air better directs and distributes the water spray against the pack l3. The water particles or drops that reach the means I6 are directed rearwardly and to some extent laterally by the rearwardly flaring wall 38. The water particles or drops striking the wall 38 cannot bounce or glance forwardly and, therefore, cannot reach the screen H or the inlet II. The screen I'I accordingly remains dry at all times and does not accumulate dust particles. The wall. 38 of the means I6 operating to prevent the forward splashing of the spray allows the device to be considerably shortened and permits the placement of the inlet H and the screen I! adjacent the pack I3. I

The means IS in addition to preventing an undesirable splashing of the spray through theinlet provides for a better distribution of the incoming air across theface of the filter l3. The air flowing through the Venturi passage defined by the means l6 follows the rearwardly and outwardly curving or flaring wall 38 and thus reaches the marginal portions of the filter I3. The air thus flowing along the wall 38 assists in carrying the spray to the marginal parts of the pack l3. The material 20 of the filter pack I3 is dependably supported bythe upper and lower walls of the cells 2! so that it cannot sag, pack or excessively compress, even though weighted with a substantial quantity of water. Accordingly, the pack [3 remains efiicient and fully effective for an indefinite period.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims. 7

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a body having an air inlet, an air pervious pack in the body spaced inwardly from the inlet, a liquid sprayer at the face of the pack, and means defining a Venturi passage between the inlet and pack with the transverse plane of greatest passag-e restriction spaced between the sprayer and the'inlet. I

2. A device of the character described comprisinga body having an air inlet opening and. an

' 40 air outlet opening, means for producing air movement through the body, an air pervious pack in the body between the openings, means spaced in front of the pack for spraying water to wet the pack, and a wall in the body around the means 45 for spraying Water forming an air duct. and .pitched toward the pack so water striking it from the spraying means is deflected toward the pack. 3. In a device of the character described, a body having an air inlet, an air pervious pack in 50 the body spaced inwardly from the inlet, a water spraying means located in front of the pack between the pack and inlet for wetting the pack, and a wall in the body around the spraying means v and pitched toward the pack so water striking it 55 from the spray means is deflected toward the pack, there being a sump in the body below said wall for holding water.

4. In a device of the character described, a body having an air inlet, an air pervious pack in 60 the body spaced inwardly from the inlet, a wall in the body defining an air passage which has an outer part receiving air from the inlet and gradually decreasing in cross-section as it advances in the body and an inner part which is continuouswith the outer part and directs air onto the pack and gradually increases in cross section as it approaches the pack, and a water. spraying means spaced. forward of the pack and within the inner part of the air passage.

5. In a structure of the character described, a casing having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, an air pervious pack in the body between the openings, means for producing air movement through the body, and means in the casing for spraying water to. wet the pack including a revolving plate between the pack and air inlet facing the pack, a water circulating system in the casing including a water delivery outlet between the pack and plate directing water toward the plate, and an element rotatable with the plate and at the face of the plate facing the pack for dispersing the water.

6. In a structure of the character described, a. casing having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, a vertically disposed air pervious pack in the body between the openings, means for producing air movement through the body, and means in the casing between the pack and air inlet for spraying water to wet the pack including a revolving plate facing and substantially parallel with the pack, a plurality of projections on the plate projecting therefrom toward the pack, and a water supply delivering water toward the face of the plate to be broken up and thrown by the combined action of the plate and projections,

7. In a structure of the character described, a casing having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, an air pervious pack in the body between the' openings, there being a sump in the casing below the pack, means for producing air movement through the body, and means in the casing for spraying water to wet the pack including a ribbed sprayer wheel between the pack and air inlet and a pump receiving water from the sump and delivering it onto the wheel to be sprayed and distributed thereby onto the pack.

8. In a structure of the character described, a casing having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, a vertically disposed air pervious pack in the body between the openings, means for producing air movement through the body, and means in the casing between the pack and air inlet for spraying water to wet the pack including a flat motor driven plate facing the pack, a plurality of water dispersing projections on the face of the plate, and means between the plate and pack directing water toward the plate to be broken up and thrown by the, combined action of the plate and projections.

BRYANT ESSICK. 

